Team TRTPower Rankings: Quinnsland Raceway
Well. That was one heck of a weekend.
Here we run down the Hottest of Hots, some genuine Nots, and a couple of Whats from the SpeedSeries’ return to the Sunshine State and Queensland Raceway.
ABOUT THE RANKINGS: The TRT Power Rankings are compiled by your nominations from social media and edited by the TRT editorial team. They’re designed to give a balanced, as fair as possible critical overview of those things that excelled and those things that struggled, at each event. It’s (mostly) a democracy, and what you nominate generates the order, so have your say next event via our social media channels, @theracetorque on Facebook, Twitter and Insta. Look for the call out each evening and get commenting!
HOT
1. Queensland Raceway
With the ongoing Quinnification of Quinnsland Raceway, this facility is finally realising its potential. With vision and backing, anything is possible. Well done, and thank you, TQ.
2. GT World Challenge
Aussie GT is so damn hot right now. Is it too late to petition the FIA to hand out the World Driver’s Championship for this class? Worst case, first place at the end of the season deserves an actual sheep station. Geoff Emery won the weekend overall with his hired pro-gun in Max Hofer, who has clearly come to grips with our local tracks, and was absolutely pushing the limits over the weekend. Liam Talbot and Garth Tander won the decider in sensational circumstances, which we’ve listed under NOT, but really, we are absolutely here for the theatre of it all. Yasser Shahin/Garnet Patterson claimed second overall, and this was a field that featured the likes of Jamie Whincup and Broc Feeney. More please.
3. TCR Australia
Will Brown: fast on track, even quicker to dodge questions of impending Triple Eight drive. Pole, victory in races one and three were just the medicine after a tough opening to the season for the late-model Audi.
Brad Harris: The man of the match for the weekend – a recent addition to the field this year, expectations of the Honda driver for his rookie campaign probably didn’t involve an overall weekend podium. But here we are – he was super impressive in claiming his maiden race win, which was backed up by third in the finale and the overall event.
4. Porsche Sprint Challenge
Firstly, there was Oscar Targett with the pole by 0.0012sec over Nash Morris, but from there on in, it was the Nash show, claiming a weekend sweep against a stout field of Pro class competitors, following on the winning form from his SMSP debut. While the carnage was a dampener, the racing was feisty across the board.
5. Trams Ams
The Trans Am were originally slated for four races, but wound up with three after the first was called off following the lap one crash. Tom Hayman another surprise packet that could, claiming a race win sweep. Elliot Barbour was strong too in second and finally delivering on his potential, with James Moffat banking solid points in third.
6. The Crowd
Did you notice it? There was genuinely an audience in the house. 18,200 of them across the weekend makes it one of the biggest ‘second tier’ rounds of any series staged in two decades.
7. Fight in the Night/Fight in the Friday Dusk
The thing we love about the Fight in the Night is that is a proper genuine night race, not an SMP-styled night race, which simulates lighting conditions akin to racing near the surface of the sun. The GT4s continue to grow in stature, with Tony Quinn driving like he owns the place to win the Saturday night feature and the weekend overall. Tim Leahey meanwhile did Tim Leahey things in ruling the Production Car segment for the weekend. Can we get some TV or a stream for this next year, please?
8. V8 Touring Cars
A growing field and some quality action. Ray Hislop came from left field to claim overall honours after sealing the race two win, with the usual suspects like Jamie Tilley and Jude Bargwanna in the mix, with Tilley registering a couple of race wins. The way the final race twisted and turned was borderline comedy capers stuff, and genuinely entertaining despite the small grid.
9. Mike Sheargold
Keep keeping on Mike, you’re an inspiration.
10. Shannons Motorsport Australia Trophy Series
It was simply the perfect entrée to the SpeedSeries main meal, with plenty of high-quality racing on a laid-back program. Nice.
FURTHER HOTS
TV of things
The Stan Sport production continues to be high quality with a great team and lots of action. Special mention to Chris Stubbs for his inadvertent scoop from Jamie Whincup, the lovely drone shots above turn three and the good mix of racing and insight with some of the live and pre-recorded packages. Jason Bargwanna was a great add to the com box for the V8’s (most of which he’d driven) and Fabian Coulthard continues to improve.
Also, can we also say how damn cool it is to hear Matt White at full voice in Trans Am commentary? Proper 2000s Channel 10 flashbacks, there.
Cupra Backing
It’s good to see a brand step up to the plate and back Aussie motorsport. Well done Michael Clemente and co.
The Temperature
High 20s. In August. That is hot.
WHAT
If ever there has been content worthy of the WHAT section of the Power Rankings, this is it..
Pwoah
NOT
1. Porsche Accident
Nasty scenes on Saturday evening on the final lap of the Porsche Sprint Challenge, which saw two drivers wind up in hospital. Be thankful for strong race cars and the incredible efforts of the on-track medical staff and officials, who were on the scene in seconds, and be thankful that those stationed on the island marshals’ post were unharmed. Our ongoing thoughts are with those involved.
2. Trans Am Race 1
Ugly. Firstly, a massive wad up at turn four eliminated multiple cars. Secondly, the safety car deployment was very much suboptimal, after it was scrambled mid pack, which sent the field scurrying. The race petered out in a non-result.
3. Gricey’s Tear Ups
Another terrible weekend for the second-generation ace. We’re not sure white Gricey Jr has to do to get a good result in Trans Am, but this weekend wasn’t it.
Saturday:
Sunday, channelling his inner Cam Waters:
4. TCR Race 3 Dramas
Jordan Cox found himself in the wars in a dent to his title hopes, and subsequently blew up in the mid-race interview. Tony D’Alberto meanwhile copped 10sec for his part of contact back at the previous corner. Later on in the race, Ben Bargwanna slowed with a drama. Elsewhere, mechanical dramas sidelined Zac Soutar, in scenes similar to earlier in the season. Adding to the not-ness, the time certain point for the race was seemingly benched in order to set up a one-lap post-safety car dash to the flag. We’re here for races finishing under green, but confusion reigned supreme. TV commentary team are owed a please explain from Race Control.
5. TCR Race 1 Start
Frankly, it had a bit on. Title contender Bailey Sweeny was scheduled to start up front, but suffered electrical issues prior to the race one start, which sent him to the pit lane for the getaway, before ultimately being disqualified. Costly. Also, the stalled car of Tim Slade made a mess of the race start proper.
6. Ronan’s Ride
Ronan Murphy took a wild trip into turn four on Saturday…
7. Whoah
Schumacher nearly gumbooted the Bathurst Audi… yikes.
8. Talbot on the Prince
Drama in the last five minutes of the second GT race for the lead, when Liam Talbot came into contact with Prince Abu Bakar, a clash that didn’t go unpunished. However, for Talbot and his co-driver Garth Tander, a 16sec margin of victory was greater than the 15sec punishment.
Abu was generous and measured post-race however we understand higher-ups in Triple Eight land weren’t quite so accepting of the result.
This has been one championship worth watching, and it’s coming to a head…
9. Trans Am Biffo
10. Falcon Rally Cars
OTHER NOTS
Recoveries
Some of the wreck retrievals over the weekend sadly weren’t world record-setting, eating into the available racing time.
The Commentary Curse
TWEET
Aww, it’s a wee ripper!
You’ve come a long way, baby
Good
Not as bad as Steve Harmison
TV Stars
